Art Donovan, the lineman whose hilarious stories about his football career enabled him to maintain popularity long after his election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died Sunday night. He was 89.

Donovan died at 7:20 p.m. at Stella Maris Hospice in Baltimore, according to Kevin Byrne, senior vice president of public and community relations for the Baltimore Ravens.

Donovan made a name for himself as a feisty defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, helping the team to world championships in 1958 and 1959.

He also spent single seasons with the New York Yanks and Dallas Texans in a career that lasted from 1950 through 1961.

Colts owner Jim Irsay saluted Donovan Sunday night on Twitter: Art Donovan..RIP..what a colorful,big-hearted man n Baller! Tremendous contributor to early building of the greatest league n all of sports

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